Eight representatives of Phnom Penh communities involved in land disputes were allowed to present their petitions to the Council of Ministers yesterday after authorities blocked about 200 of their fellow petitioners from gathering in front of the Peace Palace.

During a meeting with the representatives, Bun Uy, a secretary of state at the Council of Ministers, promised to do his best to help find a solution for the communities, said Boeung Kak representative Tep Vanny.

“He showed us documents that noted the communities’ complaints and said he planned to send them directly to Prime Minister Hun Sen,” she said.

“So I hope the prime minister will intervene… soon.”

Chray Nim, a representative from the Thmor Kol community asked to move from the fence surrounding the Phnom Penh International Airport, said the villagers who tried to gather at the Peace Palace included representatives from Borei Keila, Boeung Kak, the Toul Sangker railway, Boeung Chhuk, Krol Kor, Thmor Kol, Road 347, Trapaing Anchang and Svay Pak.

Police pushed villagers away as they tried to congregate in front of the Peace Palace to make deliver their petitions, but they did not seriously injure anyone, Nim said.